COMPETING CORRIDORS: CHINA'S BRI, INDIA’S IMEC, AND U.S. INFLUENCE IN THE NEW GREAT GAME

Abstract

The current paper analyzes the strategic rivalry between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China and the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) of India, which makes it a modern-day New Great Game. The study is based on the mixed-method approach that includes qualitative analysis of policy documents and academic discourse along with quantitative analysis of economic and geopolitical indicators. Based on the comparative case studies of the regions affected, the research provides delicate findings related to the changing power dynamics. IMEC is more of a geopolitical counter-narrative to the long-established BRI being driven by strategic objectives of India and the United States to balance the Chinese influence, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region. Nevertheless, IMEC implementation faces significant obstacles, such as the lack of resources, strong regional loyalty to China, and the continuing tensions. As a result, the competition reflects that infrastructure projects are now tools of great-power competition that strengthens the U.S.-India relationship but hinders cooperation in the region. Finally, the future path of these corridors is estimated to be the one that will follow not so much a pure economic logic but rather geopolitical ambition versus strategic necessity, which will contribute to the establishment of the Indo-Pacific as a critical projection of power in the 21st century.